Akaroa Walk

Escape for three days of luxury adventure! Hike around the fascinating Banks Peninsula region whilst absorbing breathtaking views of the Canterbury Plains and the spectacular Southern Alps. There are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities along the way. Experience the Christchurch Gondola, the Heritage Time Tunnel, WWII gun emplacements, Lyttelton Timeball Station, two harbour crossings and a 2000 year-old totara tree.

By night, unwind in comfortable, boutique lodge-style accommodation including a well deserved spa under the stars on the second night. Enjoy some of Canterbury’s best cuisine after each day’s walk including fresh Akaroa salmon and local wines.

You will experience unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, Lyttelton, Diamond Harbour, Port Levy, Okuti, French Farm Valley, Kaituna, Wainui, Lake Forsyth, Lake Ellesmere and Akaroa.

You only have to carry a day pack as your luggage will be transferred, waiting at the accommodation every night. At the completion of the walk you may choose to stay on in Akaroa French Village then catch the complimentary shuttle back to Christchurch when it suits.

Day 1. Christchurch to Godley House - 9km walking
Take a gondola trip to the top of Mt Cavendish. View the Heritage Time Tunnel. Walk along the summit track to Godley Head. View the WWII gun emplacements and the Lyttelton Timeball Station – built in 1876 to signal Greenwich Mean Time to vessels. Stay at the historic (licensed) Godley House in Diamond Harbour – built in the 1880’s.

Day 2. Godley House to Hilltop - 19km walking
Walk along ridge trails with commanding views of the harbours, valleys and inlets, until you reach the “Hilltop” – where you stay at the relaxing Pentrip Lodge.

Day 3. Hilltop to Akaroa - 11km walking
Walk down meandering valley tracks overlooking Akaroa Harbour, until you reach Wainui. Travel by boat across to Akaroa Village. Stay in good quality accommodation and celebrate the completion of the trip with a final and entertaining evening meal in one of Akaroa’s top restaurants. The following day a shuttle takes you back to Christchurch.

Grade: B
Average of 4-5 hrs physical activity per day.
At times carrying small backpack of 4-5kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary. Reasonable standard of fitness required.

The Akaroa Walk requires a moderate level of fitness for maximum enjoyment. To prepare for the Akaroa Walk, take a few hill walks during the two weeks prior to your tour departure date. Walkers need to be able to hike a maximum of 19kms per day over farm tracks, rolling hill tops and ridges. However, if you wish to do only a half day of walking on Day Two (the longest day), this is possible. While you are walking, you will carry a day pack with your personal items and cut lunch. Your guides will encourage walkers to walk at their own pace with plenty of photo opportunities to fully appreciate and take in the natural beauty of the surroundings. The Akaroa Walk is not recommended for anyone under the age of fifteen.

Guides are friendly, enthusiastic people who love sharing their interest and knowledge about Banks Peninsula’s unique flora, fauna and history. They all hold first aid certificates and are very experienced trampers (hikers). The guides are always highly appraised from those who have done the walk.

The company has a Safety Management plan which has been checked and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.

Essential Items
Clothing to wear or carry each day:

Hiking boots (strongly recommended)

Woollen Socks - 2 pairs

Cotton t-shirt for use in fine weather

Shorts - quick drying

Woollen sweater or fleece jacket

Warm hat and gloves

Thermal longjohns and top

Waterproof jacket with hood

Personal equipment to bring:

Medium sized day pack

Drink bottles - with at least 1 litre capacity

Wide brimmed hat

Sunhat and sunglasses

Sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF rating

Camera and lots of spare film

Small first aid kit

Swimwear

Transportation includes a pick up and drop off service in the centre of Christchurch, a gondala ride to the crater rim, shuttle to Lyttelton, ferry rides across Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours and a shuttle back to Christchurch.

Your bags are transported for you.

Good quality accommodation is provided and meals are included in the price. On two of the nights you experience excellent restaurant meals (wine and other beverages are available at your cost). The other evening features a New Zealand barbecue, with fresh Akaroa salmon and complimentary local wines or other beverages.

High quality boutique and homestead style accommodation. Organised tour accommodations are based on a twin/double share accommodation. Individual travellers will be placed in rooms together with other individual travellers of the same sex. Single supplements, where available, attract an additional charge of $250 per person.

What is included in my Akaroa Walk package?
The Akaroa Walk provides you with three days of luxury adventure. Your tour package includes all accommodation, meals, entry to attractions and transport required throughout your three day Banks Peninsula experience. Your booking covers all your needs from the morning of day one through to your accommodation on day three, except for any alcohol consumed.

Where does the walk leave from on the first day?
The walk departs from central Christchurch at 24 New Regent Street. This is a short twenty minute drive from Christchurch International Airport and within easy walking distance from most of Christchurch’s main hotels.

I am ready for a challenge. Is there a required fitness level?
The Akaroa Walk have selected tracks around Banks Peninsula that will challenge you at times and reward you with spectacular scenery along the way.

Do I really need thermals and a fleece, even in summer?
As most of the track is in open country and is therefore exposed, you need to be prepared for all weather conditions.

What if I want to spend extra time in Akaroa?
No problem, you will be given a voucher for travel back from Akaroa to Christchurch and you can book your post-tour return to suit yourself. Shuttle buses depart from the Akaroa Information Centre at 10.30am, 3.35pm and 4.30pm. Or, prior to tour departure you can pre-book your return to Christchurch and arrange pick up from your Akaroa accommodation. The shuttle bus will drop you off in Cathedral Square in the centre of Christchurch.

Wine, other beverages and souvenirs are available at your cost.

Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of the full tour price and become definite from that date. The Operator or their agents reserve their right to decline any booking at their discretion. The Operator reserves the right to change or alter these published tours without any notification.

The Operator will use its best endeavours to ensure that all tours are operated as advertised. It may be that reasonable changes in the itinerary may need to be made where is deemed necessary or advisable by The Operator. Changes will be advised to the client as soon as is reasonably possible.

Adverse weather conditions may mean that planned activities cannot proceed as intended. A decision to change an advertised tour based on the weather conditions will be made by a tour guide at the time and is made in the best interest of the group and their safety. The Operator and or their contracted suppliers can not be held responsible to any changes as a result of the weather.

The Operator, its agents, contractors and guides do not accept responsibility or liability for loss, damage to, or theft of personal belongings (owners risk) or for any expenses, including medical and transport expenses arising from personal accident, injury, illness, or hospitalisation. The Operator and their guides reserve the right to make any alterations to the itinerary in the interest of safety, comfort or any unforeseen circumstances due to causes such as weather, illness, or misadventure. Every reasonable endeavour will be made to keep to published schedules but no guarantee is given. The Operator will not be held liable for costs incurred by change, delay or the missing of connecting services. The Operator reserves the right to exclude a person from a tour at any time, if in the opinion of the guide or operator, that person may be likely to risk the health, safety or comfort (including unsociable behaviour) of other clients, him or herself or the environment. In such circumstances The Operator will not be obliged to offer any refund or transfer of ticket. These terms and conditions apply to each participant included in a group booking. Where a booking is made on behalf of a group of two or more people then each participant in the group must be made aware of and accept these terms and conditions.


Payment:
For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 20% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:
If you wish to cancel your Akaroa Walk the following charges will be applied:
1. Prior to 6 weeks of departure of the tour 10% of the tour cost;
2. Within 6 to 3 weeks 35% of the tour cost; and
3. Within 3 weeks or less no refund will be given.
If a passenger fails to join the tour, or joins after the tour departure date, no refund will be made.

Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend cancellation insurance together with all other necessary travel insurances. Obtaining all necessary insurances is the responsibility of you and the operator and agent can not held liable for any failure on your part to get insurance.

Medical Conditions:
When you book you must notify us of any medical condition, medical history or medication that you are on. To do this you must complete the pre-trip questionnaire which will be sent to you soon after you have completed your booking.

Notes:
This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.

Please advise us of any special requirements e.g. special diets, birthdays, wedding anniversaries etc.